I feel that I should no longer delay in sending my testimony to our periodicals. Over forty years ago, when a boy of eight, I fell, and as a result was afflicted with what the physicians termed hip disease. Up to 1906 I suffered at times severe pain. In February, 1904, rheumatism settled in my weak leg to the extent that the sciatic nerve was said to be destroyed. So many strong drugs had been taken that at times I could keep nothing on my stomach, even water causing intense suffering, and I could hardly sleep except under the influence of opiates.
One afternoon I went into the Christian Science reading room at Flushing, Long Island, where I then resided, with the thought of proving to those in charge that the Bible was not practical. At that time I was without hope of any kind and was just able to crawl about with the aid of crutches. After a short talk with the librarian she offered me a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which I did not care to take, so gave as an excuse my inability to carry it with my crutches, but I did take a pamphlet. I read it through twice that night, then threw myself across the bed and slept until morning, that being my first natural sleep for months.
I have not taken a drug of any kind since. Through the study of the textbook with the Bible, I was afterward enabled to lay aside my crutches. In 1908 I received my first treatment, when suffering from severe cold in the muscles and joints.' Although barely able to walk, I kept on with my work, which exposed me to the severe weather, and in four days was entirely well. This healing was a positive proof to me of the power of divine Mind.
